Most forms of renting or leasing residential property in the City of Auburn requires an owner to obtain a Rental Housing License. The purpose of the licensing program is to ensure that non-owner occupied properties are properly maintained and managed. The licensing program ensures that we have current and accurate property ownership/management information so that we are approaching the correct party when we receive a complaint rather than directing our communications towards tenants. The following table provides a general overview of the more common types of living arrangements that include some form of property rental or leasing.
Residential Rental Housing Summary
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Rental Type
|
Requirements
|
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Owner Occupied Home: Rental of Rooms -
Allowed Residential Zones:
RC, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-NM, R-F
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- City business license is not required if renting to 2 or fewer persons.
- Occupancy Limit: Family +2
- Fee:*
- Inspection: None
|
- City business license required if renting to more than 2 persons.
- Occupancy Limit: Family +4
- Fee:*
- Inspection: None
|
Non-Owner Occupied Home: Single Lease Agreement for Entire Home -
Allowed Residential Zones:
RC, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-NM, R-F
|
- A City business license is required.
- Occupancy Limit: IPMC
- Fee:*
- Inspection: None
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Non-Owner Occupied Home: More than One Lease Agreement within Home (a.k.a Communal residence) -
Allowed Residential Zones:
RC, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-F
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- A City business license is required.
- Occupancy Limit: 4
- Fee:*
- An initial inspection is required prior to issuance of City Rental License. Annual Inspection required prior to renewal.
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Apartments -
Allowed Residential Zones:
R-3, R-4, R-NM
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- A City business license is required.
- Occupancy Limit: IPMC
- Fee:*
- Inspection: None
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State Licensed Facilities: Adult Family Home, Group Residence, Assisted Care, Foster Care, Nursing Home, Supportive Housing -
Allowed Residential Zones:
Varies depending upon the type of facility
|
- A City business license is required.
- Occupancy Limit: Varies depending upon the type of facility.
- Fee:*
- Inspection: An initial city inspection is required prior to issuance of the State License.
|
* See Current City of Auburn Fee Schedule
Business Licensing Resources
Visit our Business Licensing webpage.
If you have questions, please contact us at 253-931-3090 Option #2 or email
[email protected].
Ordinances and Regulations
Auburn City Code Chapter 18.04 - Definitions for Communal Residence, Family, Foster Care Homes, Group Residence Facilities, Renting of Rooms, Assisted Living Facilities, Convalescent Homes, Supportive Housing
Auburn City Code Chapter 18.07.020 - Permitted Use Table For Residential Zones
Auburn City Code Chapter 18.31.130 - Communal Residence Standards
Ordinance 6560 - 2015 Communal Residence Code Amendments
Auburn City Code Chapter 5.22 - Rental Housing Business License Requirements
International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) - The following table is a summary of the requirements of Chapter 4 of the IPMC. It does not include all IPMC.
| Bedrooms |
Minimum of 70 sq. ft.
If occupied by more than 1 person, an additional 50 sq. ft. per person is required.
Shall comply with building code requirements for light, ventilation, ceiling height and room width.
|
| Living rooms |
Minimum of 120 sq. ft. for 1-5 occupants.
Minimum of 150 sq. ft. if occupant by more than 5 occupants.
|
| Dining room |
N/A for 1-2 occupants.
Minimum of 80 sq. ft. for 3-5 occupants.
Minimum of 100 sq. ft. for more than 5 occupants.
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| Bathrooms |
Every bedroom shall have access to at least one bathroom without passing through another bedroom.
Ventilation must be installed properly.
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Kitchens, bathrooms, closets, garages and other non-inhabitable spaces
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May not be used for sleeping purposes |
| Other |
Comply with the plumbing, water-heating, heating, electrical, smoke alarm, and emergency escape requirements.
Clothes dryer exhaust systems must be installed and operable.
Kitchen exhaust systems must be installed and operable.
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